The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) completed seven years on 12 September 2026, with enrolment reaching 24,96,252 farmers (24.96 lakh) as of 6 February 2026. Launched on 12 September 2019 as a voluntary and contributory old-age pension scheme for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs), the scheme is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in partnership with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). With monthly contributions of only ₹55 to ₹200 matched equally by the Central Government for a guaranteed ₹3000 monthly pension from age 60, the seven-year milestone signals a growing pension safety net for farmers who have minimal savings for their later years.
What Is PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) is a voluntary and contributory old-age pension scheme for landholding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) launched on 12 September 2019. It guarantees a minimum pension of ₹3000 per month from age 60 to eligible farmers aged 18 to 40 years with cultivable land up to 2 hectares, with equal monthly contributions from the farmer and the Central Government.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana was introduced to provide social security to farmers who have minimal or no savings for old age and often lose their source of livelihood after 60. The scheme is effective from 9 August 2019 and was formally launched on 12 September 2019. It is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC and FW) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), established in 1956 under the LIC Act, 1956 and headquartered in Mumbai, acts as the Pension Fund Manager and is responsible for managing the pension fund and pension payouts.
The pension fund consists of two parts, the subscriber’s individual account and the Government’s pool account where matching contributions are deposited. The Common Service Centre (CSC) network, operated by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, facilitates paperless enrolment, while State and Union Territory Governments through their PM-Kisan Nodal Officers also support registration. Farmers can refer to the official portals maandhan.in and pmkmy.gov.in for registration, status check, contribution chart and helpline details.
Seven Years of PM-KMY: Enrollment and Impact in Numbers
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana marked seven years on 12 September 2026, completing a journey that began in 2019 to secure the later years of small farmers. By 6 February 2026, total enrolment under the scheme stood at 24,96,252 farmers, which is reported as 24.96 lakh across the country. The figure reflects steady uptake of a contributory pension model in a segment where old-age security has traditionally been weak.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana has seen significant public investment to sustain its rollout. Since its launch in 2019, a total of ₹540.66 crore had been utilised nationwide under PM-KMY as of February 2026 to support implementation and outreach. This expenditure covers fund management, administrative support and enrolment facilitation through CSCs and state machinery.
State-Wise Enrollment Pattern
Enrolment is not uniform, with a few states accounting for a large share of subscribers. The geographic spread shows strong adoption in eastern and northern India, where the concentration of small holdings is high.
| State | Enrolled Farmers (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Haryana | Around 5.75 lakh (highest in the country) |
| Bihar | Over 3.46 lakh |
| Jharkhand | More than 2.5 lakh |
| Uttar Pradesh | More than 2.5 lakh |
| Chhattisgarh | More than 2 lakh |
| Other states including Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra | Significant share of remaining enrolment |
The data indicates that Haryana leads the national tally, followed by Bihar, while Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh each have more than 2 lakh enrolments. Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra further strengthen the scheme’s national footprint. The growing numbers suggest rising awareness of pension planning among farming communities, even though the share remains small compared to the total number of small and marginal farmers in India.
Who Is Eligible and Who Is Excluded?
The eligibility rules for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana are designed to target farmers with the smallest land holdings and limited old-age support, while keeping out those already covered by other pension or social security schemes.
Eligibility Criteria for PM-KMY
To join the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana, a farmer must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be a Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF) with cultivable landholding up to 2 hectares. In India, marginal farmers are generally those with up to 1 hectare and small farmers with 1 to 2 hectares, and the scheme uses 2 hectares as the ceiling.
- Fall in the entry age group of 18 to 40 years. The pension vests only at age 60, so the minimum contribution period ranges from 20 to 42 years depending on entry age.
- Have his or her name in the land records of States or Union Territories as on 1 August 2019. This cut-off date determines eligibility at launch.
- Be willing to make voluntary monthly contributions to the pension fund until age 60. Spouses of SMFs can also enrol separately and earn a separate pension of ₹3000 each on reaching 60, if they individually meet the criteria.
Exclusion Criteria
Certain categories are explicitly excluded from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana to ensure that benefits reach the most vulnerable and avoid duplication with other statutory protections:
1. Farmers covered under other pension or social security schemes
- Subscribers to the National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
- Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM), administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment for unorganised workers.
- Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-LVM) for small traders and shopkeepers.
2. Categories of higher economic status
- Institutional landholders, including all institutional entities holding agricultural land.
- Holders of constitutional posts, former and present.
- Public representatives including former and present Ministers, Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), Members of State Legislative Assemblies or Legislative Councils, Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
- Serving or retired officers and employees of Central or State Government Ministries, Departments, attached offices, State or Central Public Sector Enterprises, autonomous institutions and regular employees of Local Bodies. Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), Class IV and Group D employees are exempted from this exclusion and remain eligible.
- Persons who paid income tax in the last assessment year.
- Registered professionals such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with professional bodies and practising the profession.
Verification is based on self-declaration certified by the State or Union Territory Government. If a declaration is later found false, the government’s matching contribution is stopped and the subscriber’s own contributions are refunded without interest, and no further benefits accrue.
How Does the Scheme Work: Contribution, Pension and Family Benefits
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana operates on a simple shared contribution model. The farmer and the Central Government contribute equally every month, the money is pooled in a pension fund managed by LIC, and the subscriber receives a fixed pension after age 60.
Monthly Contribution Chart Based on Entry Age
The farmer’s monthly contribution depends on the age at which he or she joins the scheme. Younger entrants pay less because they contribute for more years, while older entrants pay more. The superannuation age is fixed at 60 years for all. Contributions range from ₹55 at age 18 to ₹200 at age 40. The Central Government adds an equal amount each month.
| Entry Age | Member Contribution | Government Contribution | Total Monthly Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years | ₹55 | ₹55 | ₹110 |
| 19 years | ₹58 | ₹58 | ₹116 |
| 20 years | ₹61 | ₹61 | ₹122 |
| 21 years | ₹64 | ₹64 | ₹128 |
| 22 years | ₹68 | ₹68 | ₹136 |
| 23 years | ₹72 | ₹72 | ₹144 |
| 24 years | ₹76 | ₹76 | ₹152 |
| 25 years | ₹80 | ₹80 | ₹160 |
| 26 years | ₹85 | ₹85 | ₹170 |
| 27 years | ₹90 | ₹90 | ₹180 |
| 28 years | ₹95 | ₹95 | ₹190 |
| 29 years | ₹100 | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| 30 years | ₹105 | ₹105 | ₹210 |
| 31 years | ₹110 | ₹110 | ₹220 |
| 32 years | ₹120 | ₹120 | ₹240 |
| 33 years | ₹130 | ₹130 | ₹260 |
| 34 years | ₹140 | ₹140 | ₹280 |
| 35 years | ₹150 | ₹150 | ₹300 |
| 36 years | ₹160 | ₹160 | ₹320 |
| 37 years | ₹170 | ₹170 | ₹340 |
| 38 years | ₹180 | ₹180 | ₹360 |
| 39 years | ₹190 | ₹190 | ₹380 |
| 40 years | ₹200 | ₹200 | ₹400 |
The farmer’s contribution is auto-debited from the bank account linked at enrolment. Subscribers can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, four-monthly or half-yearly, with the instalment falling due on the same day as the date of enrolment. Farmers who are beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), the income support scheme launched in February 2019 that provides ₹6000 per year in three instalments, can opt to let their PM-KMY contributions be auto-debited from the same bank account where they receive PM-KISAN benefits by submitting an enrolment-cum-auto-debit mandate.
Assured Pension and Family Pension
The core benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a minimum assured pension of ₹3000 per month after the subscriber attains 60 years of age. This pension is payable for life.
If the subscriber dies while receiving pension, the spouse receives a family pension equal to 50 percent of the subscriber’s pension, which amounts to ₹1500 per month. Family pension is payable only to the spouse and only if the spouse is not already a beneficiary of the scheme in his or her own right.
If the subscriber dies before reaching age 60 after making regular contributions, the spouse has two options. The spouse may continue the scheme by paying the remaining contributions till the deceased subscriber would have turned 60, or the spouse may exit and receive the total contribution made by the subscriber along with interest as per the exit provisions. If there is no spouse, the total contribution with interest is paid to the nominee. A subscriber who wishes to exit voluntarily before vesting can also do so, with his or her contributions returned along with interest, but the Government’s matching share is not payable.
Government Matching Contribution and Pension Fund
The Central Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, contributes an amount equal to the subscriber’s contribution to the pension fund every month. The fund is managed by LIC and consists of the subscriber’s individual account and the Government’s pool account. Regular contributions and disciplined fund management are intended to ensure that the promised ₹3000 pension can be paid without interruption after vesting.
How to Apply for PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana offers a simple, paperless enrolment process designed for easy access in rural areas. Eligible farmers can register through the extensive Common Service Centre (CSC) network or through the office of the PM-Kisan State Nodal Officer.
To enrol, a farmer needs to visit the nearest CSC with Aadhaar number, bank passbook or account details including IFSC or MICR code, and mobile number for OTP verification. At the CSC, the Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) verifies the details, completes online registration on the maandhan.in or pmkmy.gov.in portal, and obtains the farmer’s signature on the auto-debit mandate form. Enrolment is free of cost and no fee is charged at CSCs for registration. The first contribution is processed digitally at the time of enrolment.
After successful registration, the subscriber receives a Pension Account Number and a pension card, which can be downloaded or reprinted later. Subsequent contributions are auto-debited from the linked bank account, and beneficiaries can use the portal for PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana status check, beneficiary status, contribution chart, calculator, CSC login and card download. In case of grievances or queries, farmers can use the Maandhan helpline 1800 267 6888 and the toll free number 14434. The scheme also allows services such as update, revival and voluntary exit through the CSC.
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana vs PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is often confused with other similarly named schemes in the Maandhan family and with PM-KISAN. Clarity on their objectives and design is important to avoid duplication, since a farmer cannot be a beneficiary of both PM-KMY and PM-SYM or PM-LVM.
| Feature | PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) | PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) | PM Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Old-age pension and social security for SMFs | Income support for landholding farmer families | Old-age pension for unorganised workers |
| Launched | 12 September 2019 (effective 9 August 2019) | 24 February 2019 | 5 March 2019 |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Eligibility | SMFs up to 2 hectares, age 18 to 40 years | All landholding farmer families with cultivable land, subject to exclusions | Unorganised workers with monthly income up to ₹15000, age 18 to 40 years |
| Contribution | ₹55 to ₹200 per month, matched equally by Government | No contribution, direct benefit transfer | ₹55 to ₹200 per month, matched by Government |
| Benefit | ₹3000 per month pension from age 60, family pension ₹1500 | ₹6000 per year in three instalments of ₹2000 | ₹3000 per month pension from age 60 |
| Fund Manager | LIC | Not applicable, DBT from Government | LIC |
| Can PM-KISAN benefit be used to pay contribution | Yes, through auto-debit mandate | Not applicable | No |
The comparison shows that PM-KMY and PM-SYM share the Maandhan architecture of contributory pension and ₹3000 assured pension, but they serve different beneficiary groups and are mutually exclusive. PM-KISAN is a non-contributory income support scheme, while PM-KMY is a contributory pension scheme. A PM-KISAN beneficiary may voluntarily use the PM-KISAN instalment to fund PM-KMY contributions, which provides a convenient payment channel for small farmers.
Significance and Way Forward
The seven-year milestone of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana highlights both progress and the scale of the remaining challenge in securing old-age income for India’s farmers. Small and marginal farmers form the majority of India’s farming households and often have little savings to rely on after their productive years. A guaranteed monthly pension, even of ₹3000, provides a basic but predictable safety net that supports dignity and reduces dependence in old age.
The enrolment of 24.96 lakh farmers shows growing acceptance of voluntary contributory pensions in rural India, a concept that requires regular financial discipline over two to four decades. The concentration of enrolment in states such as Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh suggests that outreach through CSCs and state Nodal Officers has gained traction in those regions. The utilisation of ₹540.66 crore since 2019 reflects sustained Government commitment to keep the scheme operational and visible.
At the same time, the figure remains modest when compared to the total population of small and marginal farmers, which runs into crores. Barriers include irregular incomes, limited awareness, documentation gaps and competing demands on household cash. For many farmers, the long contribution period and the requirement to maintain bank auto-debits can be difficult.
The way forward involves deeper integration and awareness. Linking enrolment with PM-KISAN saturation drives such as those undertaken during Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, expanding doorstep facilitation through the CSC network of Village Level Entrepreneurs, simplifying self-declaration and status tracking on maandhan.in, and strengthening financial literacy on pension planning can help. Continued management of the fund by LIC with transparent accounting of Government matching contributions will be essential to maintain trust that the assured ₹3000 pension will be paid when subscribers reach 60. Over the next phase, the focus will be on widening coverage while keeping the scheme voluntary and financially sustainable.
Key Takeaways
- The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) was launched on 12 September 2019 (effective 9 August 2019) and completed 7 years on 12 September 2026 as a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
- As of 6 February 2026, 24,96,252 farmers (24.96 lakh) have enrolled, with Haryana (around 5.75 lakh) and Bihar (over 3.46 lakh) leading the state-wise tally.
- PM-KMY is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as pension fund manager.
- Eligible beneficiaries are Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) with cultivable land up to 2 hectares, in the age group 18 to 40 years, with names in land records as on 1 August 2019.
- Monthly contributions range from ₹55 to ₹200 based on entry age, matched equally by the Central Government, for a minimum assured pension of ₹3000 per month from age 60 and a family pension of ₹1500 to the spouse.
- Enrolment is paperless and free through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and PM-Kisan State Nodal Officers via maandhan.in and pmkmy.gov.in, with auto-debit, status check and helpline 1800 267 6888 and 14434, and an option to pay contributions from PM-KISAN benefits.
